পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (ত্রয়োদশ খণ্ড).pdf/৭৭৬

উইকিসংকলন থেকে
এই পাতাটির মুদ্রণ সংশোধন করা প্রয়োজন।

748 ংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ ত্রয়োদশ খন্ড of assistance requirements. A few points, however, merit special attention and I should like to take a few minutes to refer to them. The people of East Pakistan have been affected by a major cyclone and floods that hit the delta area on 11th and 12" November 1970 and by the hardships resulting from the civil disturbances beginning in March 1971. Reports from the SecretaryGeneral's Representative in East Pakistan indicate that there has been considerable movement of population to rural areas causing incalculable loss of crops and purchasing power as well as disruption of transportation. These situations will complicate food and relief operations now and in the near future but no mass concentration of displaced person has been reported. Preliminary assessments of the conditions suggest that the problem is primarily one of distribution of food and other relief supplies. Such distribution has traditionally been made through food stores and ration shops of which there are over 360 located in East Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan counterpart committee has informed the Secretary-General's Representative that the Government of Pakistan is undertaking major efforts to make the port at Chittagong fully operational and efficient. However, railway and road transportation capacities have been considerably reduced and it is clear that reliance must be placed on water transport for food and relief supplies. The Secretary-General's Representative in East Pakistan and representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and UNICEF, are working with the Pakistani Government counterpart committee to further plan and organise the establishment of a large scale international humanitarian effort in East Pakistan. The United Nations estimate of food stocks and funding required as a first step in providing such assistance indicate that an initial sum of $28,200,000 is required at this time. The Executive Director of the World Food Programme is awaiting information from the FAOAVFP team now in East Pakistan before deciding whether to recommend to the Director-General of FAO that further emergency food aid be approved for East Pakistan. The FAO senior agricultural economist deputed to Dacca has made a few preliminary observations after visiting the port of Chittagong and its storage facilities. According to him disruption of transportation is still a limiting factor and crop estimates are difficult because of uncertainties about harvest and delivery. There are great fears for nutrition and resulting health problems. A more comprehensive report is excerpted from him after he has completed his assignment. Together with East Pakistani health authorities a World Health Organization survey team, sent by Dr. Candau, Director-General of WHO at of the request of the Secretary-General, completed an initial survey of current and anticipated medical problems between 29th June and 9th July. Specific plans have been drawn up for the initial phase of a programme to cope with major disease prevention, medical care and Sanitation problems, including assistance in coping with the major anticipated infectious disease problems and in countering nutritional problems to the extent possible. In cooperation with the Government longer-term plans and estimates of needs are now being elaborated.